Come Join in the Fun - Plainfield Together as One

 

Recently, I have been reflecting on the city of Plainfield and its problems, and what came to mind was the fact that our city has been suffering from “divisionitis” for far too long; it’s an ailment that has thwarted the city’s progress over the past six years. This is a disease that cries out for a cure; it is one that I intend to work toward eradicating so as to restore the city to its rightful place as a healthy and thriving place for everyone living here, and as destination for those in search of a city to call home.

I have already begun, in earnest, to reach out to the disparate arms of our local party (the New Democrats for Plainfield political club, for which I serve as president, independent Democrats, and so-called “old” Democrats) in an attempt to bring us all together as a strong and vibrant Plainfield Democratic Party, one that holds strong to Democratic ideal as reflected in our national party platform.

Over the course of the next ninety-seven days, I will be working in partnership with Plainfield Democratic Chairman Jerry Green to build party unity for the immediate purpose of getting a very strong voter turnout not only for President Obama, but for Senator Robert Menendez, Congressman Rush Holt, the Union County Freeholders, and every Democrat on the November ballot. Beyond November, I will continue to work with the chairman to build the kind of unity that has been missing in our local party. My message to New Democrats and Old democrats is very clear: it is through working together that we can build a better and brighter future for all of Plainfield; we must work through our differences (while maintaining our principles) and harvest the positive energy that we have in order to bring vibrancy back to our city.

During the course of the next few months, you will see Plainfield coming together; there will be nothing old and nothing new—just Democrats working together for the common good and a common goal: the election of all Democrats on the November ballot. Whichever end of the Democratic spectrum you find yourself on, I ask you to join forces with the local party so we can make this election season the beginning of true transformation in our city and as reflected in President Obama’s policies. Let’s build for November and beyond.

It is in this spirit that I extend to all an invitation to the Fifth Annual Mapp for Plainfield Community Barbeque, hosted by Amelia and me at our home, 535 West 8^th Street in Plainfield. We look forward to welcoming all of you, regardless of your party affiliation.

Come join in the fun, Plainfield…together as one.

Regards,

Adrian 

 

5th Annual Community BBQ on Saturday, August 18th!

 
The Fifth Annual Community Barbecue hosted by Amelia and me will be held on Saturday, August 18th, beginning at 4:00 pm. at our home, located at 535 West Eighth Street--rain or shine! Bring your family, your neighbors, and your friends! We will be grilling and relaxing all day, until you have had enough food and fun. We hope to see you all there!

City Council Town Hall Meeting at Jefferson School

CITY COUNCIL TOWN HALL MEETING

Tuesday, June 26, 2012 – 7:00 PM

Jefferson Elementary School

1750 West Front Street

On behalf of the Plainfield City Council, I cordially invite all residents to attend our fourth town hall meeting. These informal meetings offer you an opportunity to meet with all the council representatives and to share your thoughts and concerns about our city. I hope to see you there!

 

Regards,

 

Adrian

 

Thank You, Plainfield!

 I just want to thank my constituents in the Third Ward for their support in Tuesday's primary in making me once again the Democratic candidate for council. I have always tried my best to deliver good representation to you, the people, and I look forward to winning in November and continuing to serve you. 

I want to congratulate Rev. Tracey Brown, the county freeholder candidates, Sen. Menendez, Rep. Rush Holt, and certainly our leader, Pres. Barack Obama. Thanks also to Chairman Green and the members of the Plainfield Democratic City Committee who made calls on my behalf. Finally, I want to thank my campaign team--Paul, Rebecca, Carmencita, and our volunteers and, of course, my lovely wife, Amelia, and our two daughters, Shermona and Ayisha, for their support and love.

Regards,

Adrian

Memorial Day: Thank You

Let us never forget the sacrifices made by our veterans on behalf of this great country of ours. They fought and continue to fight for the freedoms we enjoy.

Thank a veteran today...and every day.

Regards,

Adrian

I am FOR Protecting the Jobs of Frontline PMUA Workers

As many of my readers know, I have consistently made the case for the re-absorption of the PMUA into the city’s operation. I have taken this position out of concern for the rate payers, and out of a genuine concern for the frontline employees whose jobs have been threatened by the mismanagement of resources of the PMUA and the conspicuous consumption of its retired executives. 

The recent proposal by PMUA commissioners to furlough the frontline employees in order to pay for the egregious over $1 million settlement paid to the retired employees, coupled with the very harsh rebuke from the commissioner of the Department of Community Affairs, makes this issue impossible for anyone to remain silent on.

Thus, it is important for the workers of the PMUA to recognize their real enemy. It is not those on the council, including me, who want very much to protect their jobs by absorbing them into the city’s work force. The enemies of the PMUA workers are those who would have them furloughed in order to pay for a settlement that is hard for even supporters of the PMUA to swallow. PMUA frontline employees are being deceived and bamboozled by those leaders who have gotten fat from gluttony at the public trough and contempt for rate payers.

I was appalled when I learned that the PMUA executives offered to haul the solid waste of a municipality with a population of 65,000 for a mere $8 million, while charging the 50,000 residents of Plainfield $12 million. How is this fair to our struggling ratepayers? The municipality with the population of 65,000 currently contracts out its solid waste for $4 million. Needless to say, the PMUA’s former executives were laughed out of town with their $8 million proposal.

This example clearly demonstrates how the PMUA leaders have priced themselves out of the solid waste market, making it impossible to attract external customers while at the same time rendering the authority a burden to rate payers in Plainfield and a threat to the future of its frontline employees if is not reined in.

Therefore, I say no to the proposed furloughing of PMUA employees, and no to the very bad and misguided idea the PMUA commissioners suggested of having the workers pay for the $1 million plus payout to the retired executives. I say yes to absorbing the PMUA frontline employees into the city’s workforce; yes to reduced rates, and yes to tax relief for homeowners. 

I am for reining in the PMUA and protecting the jobs of its frontline employees.

Regards,

Adrian

 

Enjoy Plainfield's Weekend Events

This weekend, Plainfield has a number of events for residents to attend: 

Saturday

The League of Women Voters of Plainfield will be hosting a Voter Education and Registration Initiative at Plainfield High School, with sessions running from 10:00 am - 2:00 pm. I highly encourage parents to send their newly-registered high school students to attend at least one of the information sessions so they will know what identification to bring with them to the June 5th primary, and what to expect. 

As other bloggers have already said, the superintendent search public interview process will take place at Emerson School from 1:00 - 3:00 pm.

The Friends of the Plainfield Public Library will be hosting the Annual Wine Discovery Fundraiser from 4:00 - 7:00 pm in the Reading Rainforest Children's Room.

Sunday
I will be out again, canvassing in the Third Ward, knocking on doors to meet you, my constituents, to discuss the state of the Third Ward and our city.

The FOSH Garage Sale will take place from 9:00 - 4:00 pm in the Sleepy Hollow area and also in the Third Ward's Van Wyck Brooks Historic District--I will see you there!

At 5:00 pm, the NAACP will be hosting a candidate forum at the Whitney Young Apartments Community Center, 300 Central Avenue. All the candidates will be in attendance, and I will make my case for re-election as the Third Ward Democratic council representative. 

On Monday, I will be posting my thoughts on this year's budget--stay tuned!

Regards,


Adrian